Leaving Limbo (2013) Online

Leaving Limbo, written and directed by Sandy Boikan, is a charming, poignant, funny, and thought-provoking film that isn't quite a fairy tale, but only because it is more in-depth. Based on Boikan's play, My Wonderful Coma, the film touches on topics like forgiveness, regrets, guilt, redemption, restoration, and wasted years. The running theme, based on Joel 2:25, reminds us of God's promise that there is hope for our future.

Mandy Brown, as Monica Wyatt, is fascinating to watch as she goes through every range of emotion as a young woman who awakens to find herself nearing 40 and having slept away half of her life. Trying to come to terms with things that were not common in the 80s brings moments of comedy...and nostalgia. She gives an outstanding performance as a woman who emotionally is still on the brink of adulthood yet has suddenly been propelled into a world that must feel like she is living in a dream. As former fiancée, Ben, Elias Cecil gives a great portrayal of one who has given up his dreams and grown up to be a serious, overly-protective father who has lost much of the joy of life he had as a teen with a promising future.

Owen Williams (Wallace) does not get as much screen time as some of the others in the film, but his character is one of the more fascinating ones. As the driver of the car, he has spent 19 years living with the guilt of his actions. He reminds me a lot of Jim Carrey as a comedic actor, but both actors are also incredible in dramas.

The remaining major cast members all give strong performances. Noelle Perris is Tuesday, Monica's best friend, who also married (and divorced) Ben as Monica lay sleeping. David Fruechting gives a tremendous performance as the father who never gave up hope, and used his experience to share his faith and hope to others in a crisis situation. Lauren Montgomery as the niece who was a child in 1989, but now a woman who is in many ways more mature than her aunt is like the "voice of reason" as Monica struggles to reconcile her past life with her current one. The comic relief is Amy Mathieson as Rosa, the British nurse who has spent over a decade caring for her comatose patient and still thinks of Monica as her closest confidante.

There is so much to say about the film, but I don't want to risk giving away any plot points. Some of the things that seem illogical to me all make sense as the film adds different layers and twists to the story. There were a couple of times when things did not quite add up for me, but not to the point that it took away my enjoyment. Leaving Limbo is one of those films that can carry heavy subject matter, but does so with a compelling story, a lot of fun references to the 80s, and a satisfying ending. It is a faith-based film, but it is a natural part of the character's lives. This movie is one that can be enjoyed by all. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend others to pick up a copy.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this DVD from the director of the film in order to write this review. No promises were made of a positive review.

This movie is 13 Going on 30 meets While You Were Sleeping.It is a high 5 because the plot is nice and the dialogue is great if you've seen the aforementioned movies. I hope this movie finds your eyes. Okay, I'll admit, something felt like it was missing. I can not explain what that is other than this was not filmed with a high budget, I enjoyed most of the actors chosen, the music selected, the familiar lingo (child of the '80's)and finally the message. This movie deserves to be shown on Hallmark Channel or UP or released on the big screen. They may want to do a big budget remake (I would not change hardly anything).

Young Mandy Brown is out on a double date with her boyfriend/fiancé Elias Cecil and her friend Noelle Perris and a real jerk of a kid played by Owen Williams. Williams probably got the date because he had the car. But he's the kind you don't give a car to. Showing off and generally behaving like an idiot behind the wheel he gets involved in a crash. He walks away, but the rest suffer physical injury. Lucky no one was killed but Ms. Brown spends from 1989 to 2008 in a coma. But she wakes up like she just took a long winter's nap in hibernation.

It certainly is a miracle because those in a long coma usually don't come out of it, re Karen Ann Quinlan and if they do it's not with all their faculties intact. Brown would like to pick up where she left off providing she can catch up on all that has happened. Locally among her set all that happened isn't good and she has to learn to adjust and forgive within Christian parameters because this is in fact a Christian movie.

I liked the story and the performance of the four accident survivors were good. All of them suffered injuries, not all those injuries were physical. Williams walked away completely, yet guilt has paralyzed his psyche and he's a ne'er do well journalist. Cecil lost a promising football career. Perris is the worst of all, no physical injuries, but she's bitter and got into playing mind games.

Interesting that I see this film now when there is a move to overhaul our medical coverage system and not for the better by the new administration about to take place. Unanswered in this film is the level of care given Brown and how it was paid for. I suspect that was not something the filmmakers wanted to get into.

Nevertheless Leaving Limbo is a worthwhile film for the questions it says it answers and the ones like mine it inspires.